LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2006 Dec Signature Civil War Auction #642  / 

25243

Lincoln Endorsement on Letter Confederate POW

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:4,000.00 - 5,000.00 USD
Lincoln Endorsement on Letter Confederate POW
<B>Lincoln Endorsement on Letter From a Confederate Prisoner Taken at Gettysburg.</B></I> Autograph Letter Signed, "<I>H.S. Shepherd Pri Co. B., 2nd Va Reg</B></I>", one page, 7.75" x 10", West Building's Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, January 31, 1865, to Abraham Lincoln, Washington, D.C. It reads: "<I>I take the liberty of submitting for your consideration the following facts and would respectfully solicit your favorable attention to the same, in the hope that I may be released from my present confinement. I voluntarily remained behind after the battle of Gettysburg, was paroled by Col. Young, was never sworn in the Rebel Army or took any active part in the Confederate cause and now being heartily disgusted with the Confederacy and wishing again to become a true and loyal citizen, I hope this will meet with your approval and my request be granted. I have been in confinement at this Hospital since august 18, 1863.</B></I>" The verso of this appeal carries two endorsements, one of them Lincoln's, which reads: "<I>Let this man take the oath of Dec. 8 1863 & be discharged. A. Lincoln Feb 27, 1865.</B></I>" This stationery was originally a full four-page signature, however the second panel has been trimmed to 3.25" x 5" with the Lincoln endorsement appearing on what would have been page four. Light browning with mailing folds as expected. Faint writing transfer on top half of first page, not affecting the Lincoln panel at all. Overall very good condition. By modern standards this is truly an amazing document in that an enlisted P.O.W. was able to directly petition the President of the United States, who then acted upon the request!<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Small Flat (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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